What is a Prosthodontist, and Why Would You Need to See One?

When someone loses a tooth, they may expect a dentist to provide a replacement; however, there’s a good chance they’ll be referred to a prosthodontist instead. Why would they do this? Because when it comes to keeping your smile healthy and intact, you’ll always want to get the best treatment – and in the case of missing or broken teeth, that often means seeing a specialist. If you want to learn more about what a prosthodontist is and why you might need to see one, keep reading.

What is a Prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist has completed dental school just like a regular dentist. However, after graduation, they spent three extra years training to learn about restoring missing teeth and rebuilding damaged jaw structures. As a result, prosthodontists specialize in placing dental implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures; they also treat TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders and provide cosmetic treatments.

Why Would You Need to See a Prosthodontist?

Thanks to their advanced training and experience, prosthodontists tend to have a high level of expertise when it comes to providing complex restorative care. You might need a prosthodontist’s help if you suffer from one of the following oral health issues:

• One or more of your adult teeth have been knocked out.
• A tooth has been severely cracked or broken.
• You already have a dental implant or another type of dental restoration that needs maintenance.

How Can a Prosthodontist Help You?

One of the most common reasons to see a prosthodontist is to receive dental implants. When there’s empty space in your smile, an implant-retained crown, bridge, or denture can fill it while also allowing you to eat and speak normally again. However, an improperly performed implant procedure carries some risk (such as the jaw not joining with the implants properly), which is why many dentists will refer you to a prosthodontist for the job.

Other services a prosthodontist might provide include:

• Repairing a broken tooth with a durable, dazzling crown.
• Placing a traditional dental bridge or providing traditional dentures when dental implants aren’t a viable option.
• Repairing and replacing restorations when necessary. (Implants normally last decades if not a lifetime, but crowns, bridges, and dentures tend to have much shorter lifespans.)
• Using metal-free restorations to improve the appearance of your smile.

In general, you should see a prosthodontist whenever the gaps in your smile are putting your oral health at risk. Make sure you have a list of questions ready when you arrive at your appointment (Such as “What are my options?” or “What are the risks of each treatment?”); they can address your concerns so that you can feel confident when it comes time to perform the actual procedure. And of course, you can rest easy knowing that everything is in the hands of an expert!

About the Author

Dr. Navpreet Kaur Khatra graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry in 2015, where she earned an ACP outstanding undergraduate achievement award in the field of Prosthodontics. As a board-certified prosthodontist, she is skilled at placing sturdy, long-lasting implants and comfortable, natural-looking dental crowns. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Navpreet at Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group, visit our website or call (410) 465-3224.